Stranded motorist finds a friend in local farmer

December 3, 2013

To the Editor,

I would like to tell you about a Thanksgiving blessing my children and I received from a man by the name of Ron Pait, a local strawberry farmer from your hometown. On Thanksgiving Day my two sons, grandson and daughter-in-law piled into my truck and headed to my grandmother’s house in Greensboro. We were halfway there when my vehicle broke down on U.S. 74. With a small child and frigid weather, we made a call to my sister and the phone battery died. Stranded and phoneless, we weren’t sure what to do.

I tried pulling back onto the highway, but the truck had no power. Mr. Pait saw we were having a difficult time and pulled in front of us and signaled us off the road. He said something told him to stop and help us. He lead us slowly to an exit, where we could safely get out of the vehicle.

It just so happened that he was headed to Greensboro to visit his son and grandchildren. He insisted that he help us get to my grandmother’s house in time for dinner. We couldn’t all fit in his truck, and he didn’t want to leave me and my youngest son there alone. I honestly believe he would have made two trips to get us all there. We decided to let my oldest son, grandson and mother take the trip to Greensboro with Mr. Pait while my youngest son and I stayed behind with the truck.

He did not want to leave us at all and it was hard to convince him to go on without us. He safely delivered my children to my sister and mother.

Mr. Pait was such a precious man and so kind — just the kind of person that warms your heart and makes you smile. I hope that I can pass on the same kindness he showed my family to someone else. If this letter makes it to the paper, I hope it brightens his day like he did ours. We have made a friend for life. I hope he makes it to the beach soon to visit us.